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| (Image Source: International Boxing Association/Epic Sports & Entertainment) |
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has unveiled a stacked, star-powered undercard for the highly anticipated BETCITY IBA Pro 13 event in Dubai. The card features a series of elite-level, evenly matched showdowns supporting the blockbuster WBA Heavyweight World Title clash between Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev. Set for December 12, 2025 at the iconic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the event promises a night of world-class championship boxing, packed with title eliminators, high-stakes rematches, and global contenders ready to elevate their careers. The lineup further cements IBA Pro’s reputation for delivering depth, quality, and electrifying matchmaking.
Elite Undercard Matchups Announced
• Bakhodur Usmonov vs. Maxi Hughes: A WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator that pits undefeated Tajik phenom Bakhodur Usmonov against Britain’s slick, battle-tested southpaw Maxi Hughes. This matchup is expected to deliver a mix of technical mastery and explosive exchanges as both fighters chase a shot at Gervonta Davis’ WBA World Lightweight Title.
• Yoel Finol vs. Shakhobidin Zoirov 2: A rematch for the IBA Pro World Bantamweight Title. Uzbekistan’s 2016 Olympic gold medallist Shakhobidin Zoirov seeks redemption after losing their first bout by Majority Decision to Venezuela’s Yoel Finol in December 2024. With championship gold on the line once again, tensions and stakes are at an all-time high.
• Khariton Agrba vs. Nerii Muñoz 2: Another heated rematch, this time an eliminator for Gary Antuanne Russell’s WBA Super-Lightweight Championship. Russian technician Khariton Agrba aims to avenge his stunning knockout loss to Argentina’s heavy-handed Nerii Muñoz in July. Given both fighters’ aggressive styles and knockout power, this bout is expected to be a fireworks display.
• Vadim Musaev vs. Tulani Mbenge: Russia’s undefeated rising star Vadim Musaev (13-0) takes a significant leap in competition against experienced IBO World Welterweight Champion Tulani Mbenge. This elite-level welterweight thriller has “show-stealer” written all over it, with the winner poised for a major leap forward in one of boxing’s most glamorous divisions.
IBA Leadership Praises Event As Historic Moment
“At IBA Pro 13 in Dubai, things are going to get truly intense. I am confident that the whole world will be watching the Pulev vs Gassiev fight because the WBA World heavyweight title is on the line. We expect spectacular boxing and a competitive battle between two opponents of the highest calibre. This boxing night will, for the first time, be held as part of IBA ‘Festival Of Boxing’ in Dubai. We are actively developing the IBA ecosystem, which unites our vast IBA boxing family and offers unprecedented opportunities. I am confident that IBA Pro 13 will go down in history alongside the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships as events that delivered the best fights of the year,” said IBA President Umar Kremlev. IBA Pro General Director Al Siesta also emphasized the strength of the card, stating, “This undercard exemplifies the very best of what IBA Pro events have become synonymous with — evenly matched fights that guarantee excitement and unpredictability. From title eliminators to rematches with bad blood, these bouts will provide fans with non-stop action leading up to the main event: the WBA Heavyweight title clash between Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev. The stakes could not be higher on December 12 and, thanks to our great President Umar Kremlev, we have put on a show that will captivate audiences around the world. Don’t miss it!”
The event headlines the first-ever IBA Festival of Boxing, a two-week celebration running on December 2–13, 2025 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. As part of the IBA’s new “Golden Era”, the festival showcases the sport on a global platform, highlighted by the 2025 IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships which features a record-breaking $8.32M (8.32 million dollars) prize pool — one of the largest ever in amateur or professional boxing. The festival reflects IBA’s commitment to investing in athletes worldwide and delivering the biggest and most competitive boxing events on the planet.
